Stratford area students Makayla Ramos and Fisnik Hasani were honored last week as finalists at the 13th annual eesmarts™ Student Contest ceremony held at the State Capitol.

Presented by Energize Connecticut in partnership with Eversource and AVANGRID, Inc. subsidiaries United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, the eesmarts Student Contest invites Connecticut students in grades K-12 and college to create projects about energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability.

Makayla received 2nd place in the Grade 1 category for her poster about saving energy when doing laundry. She illustrated clothes being air dried and included tips such as wash clothes with cold water and use tennis balls instead of dryer sheets.

Fisnik won 1st place in the Grade 2 category for his poster. His landscape drawing uses the popular Dr. Seuss children's book "The Lorax" to highlight energy-saving tips and ways to protect the environment. For example, he points to trees and reminds us to, "Use less paper" and "Save the Trees".

The ceremony attracted more than 150 students, parents, teachers, elected officials, and clean energy supporters from across the state in celebration of the students' hard work. Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Mary Sotos was the keynote speaker for the event, and FOX 61 meteorologist Joe Furey served as Master of Ceremonies.

For more information on the student contest and the eesmarts program, please visit www.eesmarts.com.

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